Walk-in dinner shopping list
A walk-in dinner needs more than ingredients. Guests arrive at different times, so you need food that can be served in batches, enough tableware for people eating at once, and equipment to keep hot dishes ready. Plan quantities from your expected guest count, then add a small buffer for late arrivals and second servings. Check dietary requirements before you shop, and buy chilled groceries early enough to store them safely.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 6
- Buffet tablesqty 2
- Chairsqty 48
- Coat rack
Tableware
- Dinner platesqty 50
- Deep platesqty 50
- Dessert platesqty 50
- Coffee cupsqty 50
- Water glassesqty 60
- Wine glassesqty 50
- Knivesqty 50
- Forksqty 50
- Spoonsqty 50
- Coffee spoonsqty 50
- Serving spoonsqty 12
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 6
- Chef's knivesqty 6
- Large potsqty 5
- Frying pansqty 3
- Mixing bowlsqty 6
- Measuring cupsqty 3
- Colandersqty 3
- Baking dishesqty 6
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Serving spoonsqty 12
- Kitchen tongsqty 6
Equipment
- Hot platesqty 4
- Food warmersqty 6
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Coolersqty 3
- Extension cordsqty 4
Decorations
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Napkinsqty 60
- Name badgesqty 50
- Menusqty 10
- Flower arrangementsqty 6
- Buntingqty 6
- Tealight holdersqty 12
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 6
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 4
- Dustpan and brushqty 2
- Mopsqty 3
Catering
- Groceries
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Vegetable stock - 6 liters
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Celery - 2 kilograms
- Leeks - 2 kilograms
- Courgettes - 3 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Chicken breast - 6 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 10 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Basmati rice - 5 kilograms
- Tomato paste - 6 tubes
- Passata - 6 bottles
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Cumin - 2 jars
- Turmeric - 2 jars
- Dried oregano - 2 jars
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Butter - 500 grams
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Red peppers - 1 kilogram
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Oatmeal - 1 kilogram
- Flour - 1 kilogram
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilogram
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Coffee - 1 kilogram
- Tea - 100 bags
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 8 kilograms
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
Tips
- Plan for 1.2 dinner plates, forks and knives per expected guest if you can wash up during the event; otherwise use 2 per guest. Add one deep plate per person if soup is on the menu.
- For drinks, allow 2 to 3 drinks per guest during the first hour, then 1 to 2 per hour. Chill the first batch several hours ahead and keep the rest cold in reserve.
- Buy ingredients for the main course, soup, salad and dessert separately, with at least 5% extra for portions and last-minute additions. Set aside special-diet meals before the buffet opens.
- Count serving equipment as well as guest tableware: plan at least one serving spoon per dish, plus tongs for salad or vegetables. Put platters, bowls and utensils with the buffet items before guests arrive.
- Check kitchen capacity before shopping for large quantities. Make sure you have enough large pots, baking dishes, hot plates or food warmers, and refrigerator space at least one day before the dinner.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I need to buy for a walk-in dinner?
- Plan ingredients for soup, a main course, salad and dessert, plus drinks and any special-diet meals. You will also need tableware, serving utensils and equipment to prepare and keep food warm. Check the guest count and menu before placing the order.
- How much food should I buy for a walk-in dinner?
- Buy portions for every expected guest and add about 5% extra for second servings or unexpected arrivals. For drinks, allow 2 to 3 per person in the first hour, followed by 1 to 2 per hour.
- How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?
- Allow 1.2 dinner plates, forks and knives per guest when washing up is possible during the event. If everything must be available at once, plan 2 per guest, plus one deep plate and dessert plate per person where needed.
- When should I buy groceries for a walk-in dinner?
- Buy non-perishables and drinks 2 to 3 days ahead. Purchase fresh produce and other chilled ingredients no later than the day before, then check and refrigerate them as soon as they arrive.
Start this plan in Lizzt
Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.
Organize this event for free with LizztOrganize for free and invite your contacts!